ML Interest Tag: home-care

Pamper, Please! Kid-Friendly Spas & Treatments in Chicago

by Sara Yaniga

From newborn massages to facials for big kids, these local salons offer cute and creative Mommy & Me experiences and more

No doubt about it: Being a kid is hard work. After visiting all the indoor playgrounds, hitting all the neighborhood parks, and practicing their climbing skills on everything (including your furniture), it’s a wonder kids have any energy left at the end of the day. Sounds like a much-needed chill break is in order. Luckily, Chicago has several salons that not only welcome kids, but have special spa treatments for kids too. Whether you’re hosting a kid’s birthday party or introducing your little one to the benefits of a good mani/pedi, we’ve got one suggestion for you—get in on the action and make an appointment for yourself. You deserve it.

Spa Treatments Just for Babies

Metta Baby

It’s never too early for self-care at Chicago’s premier infant wellness studio. Offering early childhood services which promote the development of motor, sensory, and cognitive skills and bonding with parents for infants from ages 2 weeks and up. Metta Baby offers sessions in water movement, infant massage, music, and play. Plus, their space is available for private playgroups, too.

1921 N. Damen Ave.
Bucktown
Online: mettababy.com

Infant Massage Chicago

Learn the art of infant massage in the comfort of your own home. Infant massage is a great way to not only promote wellness and relieve stress for your baby, but it is also a way to communicate without words. Adriana Liwsky, a Certified Educator of Infant Massage, will guide parents (yes, you too, dads) through learning the art of infant massage to help build a cherished relationship and nurturing bond with your baby. Added bonus: infant massage also relieves stress in grown-ups, too. Contact them to schedule an appointment.

Online: infantmassagechicago.com

Mommy & Me Experiences for Your Nails, Skin & Hair

Bedazzled Nails & Spa

This spa is a perfect spot for Mommy & Me nail services. Their Little Miss Bedazzled menu offers manicures, pedicures, and polish at great prices for little hands. Their space is also available for birthday parties that call for a little pampering.

221 E. Grand Ave.
Streeterville
Online: bedazzlednailsandspa.com

ASHA SalonSpa

The Spa-Palooza package at ASHA SalonSpa will give even the most stressed-out teen a break from homework and extra-curricular activities. Teens are treated to a full spa experience complete with a Teen Clean Facial, Reflexology Experience, and a session to create a signature perfume as unique as your child. Customized massages are also available. Younger children (10 & under) can make an appointment with a stylist complete with consultation, sensory-pleasing oils, and head & shoulder massage. Expectant mothers can also have their first "Mommy & Me” spa day with a soothing Hydrating Belly Treatment.

Gold Coast, Woodfield, Butterfield, or Rockford locations
Online: ashasalonspa.com

Blo Blow Dry Bar

Sometimes you just want to be pampered, and Blo offers just that. Your mini sidekick can choose a fun hairstyle (mermaid braid, perhaps?) and you can get yourself a blowout to make it an official mommy-and-me day.

887 E. N. Milwaukee
Vernon Hills, IL
Online: blomedry.com

Milk & Honey

Milk & Honey offers fully customizable spa experiences using vegan or vegetarian, hyper-clean, natural products. Kids ages 5 and up can enjoy a mani/pedi and kids ages 12 and up may schedule facial services that help them achieve their skin goals. Products used during the services can also be purchased at checkout so you can bring the experience home. 

945 N. State St.
Gold Coast
Online: milkandhoney.com

Lena Rose Spa

This spot is the brainchild of Jenny Duranski, who worked as a nail technician for years when she got sick from the toxic fumes and chemicals and threw herself into becoming an expert on natural beauty and health products. Named after her daughter, Lena Rose is Chicago’s first Green beauty boutique and Green spa which focuses on non-toxic, vegan products and farm-to-facial services that are 100% safe for you. You can feel good about setting up a date for a mani/pedi with your child here.

4645 N. Rockwell St.
Lincoln Square/North Center
Online: lenarosebeauty.com

Lilies & Spikes

From first haircuts to prom-perfect make-up and brows, Lilies and Spikes has your pampering needs covered from head to toe. After ten years of salon ownership, the owners wanted to create a space that made kids feel special, and boy did they succeed. Here pampering kids is the focus, but hair and skin services are also available for mom and dad. Not only can kids express their individuality by adding special touches like hair chalk and feathers, but there are party packages designed to facilitate memorable birthday and spa experiences.

1105 Chicago Ave.
Oak Park
Online: kidshairsalonandspa.com

Oasis Face Bar

Teach your teens the importance of taking care of their skin with visits to the Oasis Face Bar in Lincoln Park. The Soothe Facial is perfect for t(w)eens who aren’t worrying about acne and includes a cryo massage, deep cleanse, exfoliating mask, and all of the relaxing benefits of a little pampering. For older teens and those who have concerns about acne, the Clear Facial is just for you. This treatment begins with a cryo massage and includes extractions and a mask that will pull out all the congestion and bacteria that causes acne. Oasis knows time is important, so all their standard services take only 30 minutes and maintain that "ahhh" feeling you get from a facial.

2136 N. Halsted
Lincoln Park
Online: oasisfacebar.com

OMG Spa

Is your Superhero or Princess looking for a new ‘do or to have their nails glammed up? OMG Spa in the South Loop is your spot. This full-service spa knows how to pamper kids and adults in their lives with high-quality products and a welcoming environment.

1620 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 200
South Loop
Online: omg-spa.com

The Peninsula Spa Chicago

The Peninsula Chicago is the perfect hotel for a decadent weekend of wellness, kids included. Step into kid-sized slippers and robes and head to the half-Olympic-sized swimming pool, and be sure to order some poolside snacks then head to the spa for a kid-focused mani/pedi.

108 E. Superior St.
Downtown
Online: peninsula.com

Pinky Nails

Located in the Southport Corridor, this nail spa has just what you need to keep your kid's hands and feet looking fresh. With a selection of great colors, you can treat your child to a mani/pedi take a moment to catch up on their life, or just relax and recharge. Plus, their great location makes planning a whole Mommy and Me date possible with great shops and restaurants, and even a playground nearby.

3503 N. Southport Ave.
Lakeview
Online: pinkyschicago.com

Spotlight on 3

Mix spa services, runway training, and glamour shots at this little-known photo studio. It doesn’t normally offer spa services, but if you book a photo party for eight guests (ages 4 & up), everyone is treated to updos and make-up. Rock stars and princesses can also get manicures, etiquette lessons, and design-your-own feather fans (a sassy prop if we ever saw one). Top things off with a fashion runway show, complete with fancy gowns and accessories. As a bonus, every guest leaves with a professional group photo.

2245 W. Irving Park Rd.
Lakeview
Online: spotlighton3.com

Mireille’s Studio 

Mireille Hamon has been beautifying Chicagoans for over 20 years and that includes teens as well. This full-service studio, offering everything from make-up to massages, offers a 45-minute Teen Facial which will include a deep cleansing, mild exfoliation, extraction (if needed), and soothing mask.

49 E. Oak St.
Downtown
Online: mireillesstudio.com

Locally Made Products that Bring the “Sp-ahhh” Moments Home

Kobi

Did your sporty kid turn into a stinky kid? Kobi Kids, created right here in Chicago, offers safe products for kids to keep them feeling and smelling fresh no matter how hard they play. Making deodorants and body powders that are kid-friendly, gentle for sensitive skin, and light on fragrance for boys and girls. Their Gear Therapy Spray can help keep your car, closet, gym bag, and shoes from smelling like a locker room.

Online: wearekobi.com

Mojo Spa

Looking for handmade, natural products to spoil your tweens and teens? Visit Mojo Spa Cosmetics and pick up some sweet-smelling products created with kids in mind. Bath fizzies, soaps that smell and look good enough to eat, lip balms, and so much more can be found here.

1468 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Wicker Park
Online: mojospa.com

Lena Rose Shop

Shop with complete confidence you're using products that are 100% safe for you and your family. This woman-owned boutique offers a wide selection of non-toxic and vegan products for you and your family. They are also a great resource for identifying the right products for you with years of expertise in natural beauty and care.

4645 N. Rockwell St.
Lincoln Square/North Center
Online: lenarosebeauty.com

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Feeling Completely Overwhelmed as a Parent? You’re Not Alone, According to New Survey

by Sarah Shebek

If parenting has become a total grind, you’re not alone. With the pandemic throwing a wrench into just about any kind of school or family activity, parents everywhere are struggling to bounce back. And a new survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Sittercity highlighted the common struggles that families are facing.

The survey collected 2,000 responses from American parents of school-aged children. The results? 69 percent of parents said they’re overwhelmed with the constant routine changes of the past year. Over half (51%) said they don’t feel prepared for the upcoming school year. What’s more, 60 percent reported that the mental load of parenting is overwhelming.

Since Sittercity is an online source for in-home care, many survey questions focused on childcare. Those responses were also eye-opening. Nearly half of respondents (45%) said they don’t know where to look when it’s time to plan child care. 13 percent said they don’t have any support options for childcare gaps. And 57% rely on a spouse or family member to assist with watching their children.

All the extra time at home together does have some advantages. More than 3/4 of parents said they’d learned more about their children over the past year thanks to the extra proximity. But the last year has definitely taken its toll. While we can’t offer childcare, we can help streamline your routine—so you can spend less time stressing and more time preparing with your family for the rest of the year.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

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11 Atlanta Parents Who Are Making a Difference

by Tinybeans Team

It’s fair to say that 2020 has possibly not been the best of times, but it’s equally fair to say that you don’t have to look too hard to find the helpers out there, throwing kindness around like confetti. We’ve selected 11 local moms and dads who remind us that it only takes one good idea and some gumption to make a big difference in the lives of others. Read on to discover Atlanta parents who are making a difference every day.

Fran & Mary, Tiny Activists

Tiny Activists Atlanta

What They Did: Moved by George Floyd's cry to his mother during the last moments of his life, Atlanta moms Fran Carroll and Mary Williams formed Tiny Activists as as way for families with young children to learn how to safely speak out to support others and feel empowered to do it again, and again. While there were protests all over Atlanta over the summer, Covid-19 and the threat of violence near the sites of planned marches made it hard to navigate a traditional protest or march. However, an estimated thousand people attended Tiny Activists first planned march, proving that young families felt the need to get involved, include their small children, but it had to be a safe environment.

How They Helped: Tiny Activists gives children the tools to organize and stand up for what they believe, so that when they grow up, they can be the leaders that create change. Tiny Activists create opportunities for young people to get involved, learn how to use their voice, and be leaders. They hope that by training kids today, they will train their kids, and the cycle will continue. It has to start somewhere, so Tiny Activists is a good place to begin.

What Comes Next: After hundreds of people joined Tiny Activists on Facebook, and continued to reach out, saying, “What’s next?,” they decided to create a community where they could teach small people how to find their voice and stand up for people who are needing help. One of the most difficult things for Tiny Activists to manage has been Covid-19, so until infection count declines, they've turned to creating a non-profit to gather funds to build and broaden the Tiny Activists message. They're still brewing ideas and plan to move forward, and hope to keep the momentum alive.

Find Them Here:
facebook.com/tinyactivistsatl
#tinyactivistsatl

Breanna, Good Samaritan Center

Good Samaritan Health Center

What She Did: Breanna Lathrop is the COO and Family Nurse Practitioner at Good Samaritan Center. She’s also a wife and mother of small children. Breanna helped launch a helpline that has taken over 11,000 calls since March, providing accurate information on COVID-19, consultations for callers with symptoms, and scheduling testing both at Good Sam and throughout the metro area. She also worked with Good Sam to forge a partnership with CVS Health, and  opened a rapid COVID-19 testing center in the Good Sam health pavilion, currently testing 100-130 people each day. Additionally, she helped Good Sam create an isolated triage room to see patients with symptoms of COVID-19. Every single person who came to their doors seeking care and advice regarding COVID-19 was been seen by a health care provider.

How She Helped: Breanna's commitment to quality care for all resulted in—and continues to impact—the overall health of Atlantans. Regardless of income, patients who go to Good Sam are treated. Breanna helped navigate this already lofty expectation through a pandemic that placed even more strain—and importance—on the efforts being made to provide high quality medical, dental, mental health, specialty, and health education services to individuals and families in Atlanta that could not otherwise afford it.

What Comes Next: Breanna's work at Good Sam will continue, and they are encouraged by the constant support from individuals, corporations, Churches, families, and grants that help them fulfill their mission.

Check It Out: 
goodsamatlanta.org

Isabel & Lisa, Compassion Kitchen

The Compassion Kitchen Project

What They Did: Lisa Blanco and Isabel Rice, mothers and founders of The Compassion Kitchen Project, saw an opportunity to help both those suffering from food insecurity as well as restaurant industry workers by simplifying the process of connecting the two. The Compassion Kitchen was created to connect the food needs in our community with locally-owned restaurants. They use tax deductible donations to pay restaurants to make meals for non-profits—and for those suffering from food insecurity—providing both income for restaurant employees and much-needed support for nonprofits that serve the homeless and others in crisis.

How They Helped: In its first 16 weeks, The Compassion Kitchen Project raised over $140,000, engaged over 100 volunteers to help deliver meals, prepared over 1,000 “Compassion To-Go” bags (created for people living on the streets, in cars and in transient housing) with non-perishable food items and delivered 44,021 healthy meals. In the first 3 weeks of Together We Eat—a program where they've partnered with some of Atlanta’s private schools to pick up and deliver their extra school lunches to those most in need—they have delivered over 3,000 meals.

What Comes Next: When Lisa and Isabel first started this project, it was going to be a 4-6 week effort to provide relief during the pandemic. Realizing this pandemic is going to be with us longer than any of us had hoped, the duo plan to operate The Compassion Kitchen Project as long as there is a need, and they have the funding to provide more meals through partnerships and collaboration.

Find Them Here:
facebook.com

 

 

Jessi & Ashley, Signs of Change

Jessie Carr

What They Did: Friends Ashley Cocchi-Miller and Jessi Carr wanted to find a visual way to show solidarity with their Black neighbors after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbury. Starting by posting a message about ordering signs in Neighbor, they hoped to get enough interest in order to place a bulk order for 50 signs from a local Black-owned print shop, Best Print and Design in Decatur. Within four days, they received close to 450 neighbors reaching out to order signs, quickly ordering another 500—and more, since then—after the news spread and more community members wanted to purchase signs for their yards. They reached out in conversation with neighbors, and cite the most impactful as the ones with neighbors of color, Carr's husband included, who shared how meaningful it was to see white neighbors expressing the sentiment that Black lives are important and worth fighting for. It symbolized that they are welcome, valuable members of the community.

How They Helped: Posting a Black Lives Matter sign became a way voice support and solidarity with Black neighbors—especially during quarantine—and to speak out against police brutality and other injustices faced by Black people in the United States. The duo funnels all the proceeds into national organizations working on a macro-level for racial justice, having donated $17,000 already with plans to keep the momentum going until at least November 3.

What Comes Next: "For ATL Signs of Change, I know we will continue to be involved in the fight for social and racial justice. We refuse to look the other way or be silenced—we will continue to use our privilege to speak out against oppression and lead our community in healing the wrongs of our culture and government."

Find Them Here:
facebook.com/ATLSignsofChange
@atlsignsofchange

Tamara Gonzalez, Front Steps Project

Tamara Gonzalez

What She Did: Tamara Gonzalez, a professional photographer and mom, offered free 5-minute photo sessions of families on their front steps in exchange for a donation directly to Piedmont Hospital. Families were given one digital download image. These were socially-distanced portraits taken with a telephoto lens, often from across the street, or across clients yards in bushes to get the shot. The majority of funds that families contributed went to the Piedmont Healthcare COVID-19 Infrastructure Fund. that was set up for critical need areas such as: Drive-Thru Testing Sites, Reconfiguring Labs for On-Site COVID-19 Testing, Hospital Modifications to increase ICU capacity, and Equipment, Technology and Operating Costs (including ventilator purchases, PPE, and all associated support). Together, more than 30 families participated in the Front Steps Project Atlanta, raising over $3,000 for Piedmont Hospital.

How She Helped: "The goal for the Front Steps Project Atlanta was my way to help the frontline workers at Piedmont Hospital, while also helping families maintain some semblance of connection and positivity while we were in lockdown." Tamara raised over $3,000 through the photos she captured for more than 30 families for Piedmont Hospital, earmarked for critical need areas such as: Drive-Thru Testing Sites, Reconfiguring Labs for On-Site COVID-19 Testing, Hospital Modifications to increase ICU capacity, and Equipment, and Technology and Operating Costs (including ventilator purchases, PPE, and all associated support).

What Comes Next: Families whose pictures were taken by Tamara will have a forever imprint of what they looked like during this at-home period in their lives. She continues to take family photographs, though less frequently from the neighbor's landscaping bed.

Find Her Here:
tkgphotography.com
facebook.com/tamaragpics
@tamaragpics

Sgt. Paxson, Atlanta Police Department

APD

What He Did: Sgt. Paxson is a 10-year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department and a father of 3 who currently serves as the director of Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta, which offers cash rewards for tips on crimes. This year, Crime Stoppers helped solve the case of Secoriea Turner—an 8 year-old who was shot and killed on the Fourth of July as she rode in her mother's car. He is also the most tenured person on the Civil Disturbance Unit.

How He Helps: As part of Crime Stoppers, he takes a hands-on approach to getting to know the community, purchasing gifts for kids during the holidays and bringing ice-cream on hot summer days. And as a supervisor, he makes sure that officers know they have a duty to intervene and stop any abuse of power they see.

What Comes Next: According to Sgt. Paxson, one of the things we need in Atlanta "is for the community to come forward and help us. We need good police officers who can become great police officers of all races. We need police officers who represent the City of Atlanta, and be the change they want to see."

Find Him Here:
facebook.com/AtlantaPoliceDpt

Michelle & Hallie, Operation Feed

Hallie Olsen

What They Did: Michelle Martin and Hallie Olsen are Atlanta Public School moms who pulled together a crack team of parents and teachers at E. Rivers Elementary School who refused to let any child in their school community go without food. What began as outreach to those in their school has expanded to now impact schools throughout the North Atlanta cluster. 

How They Helped: With an unexpected and extended closure of school beginning in March, 2020, Michelle and Hallie began to worry about the impact—beyond the A, B, and C's—of the pandemic on families in their school community who might be facing food insecurity. Since then, they've set up 8 distributions to residents in a targeted neighborhood, along with delivering boxes of food to 20 offsite locations. Boxes are filled with either produce, canned goods, snacks, home care items, or with basic cooking staples, in addition to other delivered items, such as cereal, detergent, soups, bread, and tortillas.

What Comes Next: Operation Feed is currently applying for its 501(c)(3) status as Hallie, Michelle, and their team of parent and teacher volunteers intend for it to be a long term partner to APS schools, beginning with those in the North Atlanta cluster. They plan to work with stakeholders in each school to help identify needs that might exist well beyond the closure of the pandemic.

Find Them Here:
operationfeedatl.org
facebook.com/OperationFeedATL

 

—Shelley Massey

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What Does the Future of Childcare Look Like?

By Andie Huber

We had the opportunity to interview Tim Allen, the CEO of Care.com, the digital platform that provides comprehensive solutions for finding, managing, and paying for childcare and more, about what life might look like this summer and how working parents can navigate the future during this new, quarantine-style world. 

How do parents navigate going back to their workplaces while schools and daycares remain closed?

“One thing that’s been abundantly clear to everyone these last few months is that childcare is simply essential for working parents. That means that access to childcare will be critical to our economic recovery. In fact, in a recent survey, we did with our members, of the more than 1,000 who responded 98% said childcare is crucial for them to get back to work. With daycares and schools closed, we expect that more families will look to hire in-home caregivers as parents return to their workplaces. In-home care is in abundant supply with a workforce of professional nannies, displaced teachers, daycare workers, and college students. In addition, having one person come to your home to care for your children is far less daunting to some parents right now because it enables them to more closely manage the number of people with whom their kids are in contact and to control the environment with things like regular handwashing.”

What are you hearing from parents about those concerns going forward?

“They are concerned about bringing caregivers into their homes and concerned about their kids going back to daycare. In our survey, more than half said they wouldn’t feel comfortable putting their child back in daycare and ¾ of those parents say they’re now more likely to hire in-home care. As a parent myself, I get it and expect that this will be an on-going discussion in most households for many months. At the end of the day, each parent has to make the decision that best suits their family.”

What do you think the childcare landscape will look like in the coming months?

“Clearly there will be changes inside daycares to control class sizes, interactions and the ability to keep things sanitized. Exactly what they will look like remains to be seen; we’re watching some of the European countries who are slowly started to re-open. And again, with daycares closed and even after they reopen, we anticipate many families will turn to in-home care as their new childcare solution.”

What about the summer?

“Many camps and summer programs are canceled. While it’s true that many camps and traditional summer programs are canceled, there is actually some good news: we parents have some time to solve for that and make alternate arrangements. One of the most challenging aspects of the last few months was how quickly schools and daycares closed. Overnight, we were all scrambling to be stand-in teachers as well as parents all while trying to work. Now with the luxury of a little advance notice, we can make new plans. Not surprisingly, most of the camps and extracurricular programs are being adapted for a digital world. We have a service—Care.com Explore—where thousands of classes and programs are now available virtually. From music to video production to art to science…it’s all there and you can put together a pretty fun summer for your kids.”

If parents are hiring nannies or sitters, what should they do to ensure a healthy environment, given the pandemic?

“It’s essential that parents and caregivers have candid conversations on this and are clear about expectations while on the job. When a caregiver is in your home and with your child, you have the right to set the house rules. For clarity, we encourage parents to have a nanny contract where everything is mapped out from salary and hours to responsibilities and yes, to expectations about maintaining certain protocols surrounding COVID-19. We encourage both families and caregivers to follow the CDC protocol guidelines and, on our website, we have recommendations on specific questions to ask during the interview process to help ease concerns.”

What else should parents think about going forward?

“The parent/caregiver relationship is unique. On the one hand, the caregiver becomes a part of your family; after all, you’re entrusting them with your child. On the other hand, you’re now a household employer and that comes with certain obligations, like paying your caregiver over the table. Our Care.com HomePay team often hears from parents who are concerned that their caregiver won’t want to be paid on the books and here’s what we counsel them:

Paying your caregiver legally is more than just the law; it’s protection for the caregiver, someone who is now a part of your family. During these last few months, while parents have been home, caregivers who’d been paid legally had access to paid sick leave, paid time off, and unemployment benefits, as well as any help offered by the federal government. Those were real benefits and real dollars at a time when it was desperately needed. As parents look to hire in-home caregivers, we urge them to start the relationship on the right foot: paying above board. Is there anything else you’re hearing from parents right now? Knowing how intertwined care and work are, we were curious if these last few months have influenced how parents think about childcare from a policy standpoint, so we asked some questions in our survey and the results were eye-opening. A whopping 92% feel that childcare is something that should get more attention from the government and 68% said that childcare policies will impact how they vote in the election this November. I think it’s fair to say that childcare is a topic we’re going to be talking about for quite some time.”

A lifest‌yle writer whose work can be seen in Red Tricycle, Money.com, Livestrong.com and Redbook. When she’s not checking out new events, museums, and restaurants to keep her and her kids entertained, she can be found wandering around flea markets and thrift stores looking for cool vintage finds.

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Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard Just Launched Their Own Baby Line & We Want It All

by Karly Wood

Did you hear? Kristen Bell’s baby line—part of a “super secret project” the celeb and husband Dax Shepard have been working on—officially launched today! Meet Hello Bello––premium, plant-based baby products that you can shop exclusively at Walmart and the new Hello Bello website.

The couple co-founded the company with the belief that all babies deserve the best and that every parent should have access to affordable and high-quality products. The result is a treasure trove of 10 attractively-designed products for diapering, personal and home care—and even the outdoors, with prices ranging from $1.88 to $23.94.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuTqo5HDrVs/

In a recent press release, co-founder Dax Shepard recalled the reason he and Bell embarked on this venture together: “We know parenting is hard enough as it is. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between what’s good for their baby and good for their budget.”

We could not agree more—and that’s we already checked out the gorgeous Hello Bello website. As part of the first offerings, you’ll find laundry detergent made with organic soapberries ($13.88), sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide ($9.78), shampoo and body wash made with organic botanical extracts ($6.98) and even diaper rash cream with soothing organic oils ($7.98).

Not to be outdone by rival baby service The Honest Company, Hello Bello also offers a diaper bundle service! Starting at $65, each bundle comes with seven packs of diapers, four packs of wipes and one freebie with your first order. Pick up to seven adorable prints and choose your delivery frequency so you’ll never run out of diapers again.

You can shop the entire new line on the Hello Bello.com, at Walmart stores nationwide or on Walmart.com.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Hello Bello

 

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Build Your Sitter Bench with these Popular Services

by Christa Reed

Fess up. You’d give up your credit card PIN and all your passwords before you’d pony up your favorite sitter’s digits. Guess what? Your friends feel the same way. Finding a good babysitter is hard and all the lessons we’ve learned about sharing fly out the window when it comes to this topic. Good news is there are plenty of services that make building your bench of trusted caregivers easy-peasy. . . and you don’t even need to break into your neighbor’s Rolodex. Read on to get the scoop on the most popular babysitting services for savvy Chicagoans.

Sittercity

Sittercity has been helping parents find nannies and babysitters for two decades. You post your job and review applicant profiles. It’s just that simple. You can look for coverage on a specific date or book an interview and evaluate for needs you have in the future. Need a part-time or short-term nanny? You can find one here. Bonus: They offer services nationally and offer specialty services for pet and senior care. 

Online: sittercity.com or the Sittercity app

UrbanSitter

UrbanSitter is great about using technology to connect users with sitters in their “network”, allowing searches based on local school or parent groups. You can also sync your account with social media pages so you can see what sitters your friends have already used. Get to know great sitters through video profiles, parent reviews and repeat family badges. Booking is fast and you can post one-time or recurring jobs. This is also a great site to use when looking for a tutor or virtual babysitting.

Online: urbansitter.com or the UrbanSitter app

College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors

Similar to K.Grace in that they’re a concierge-focused service, they also provide specific caregivers that specialize in after-school pickup and tutoring, as well as short notice care 24/7. 

Online: collegenanniesandtutors.com

Care.com

Care.com began in 2006 with a belief that quality care for your family is fundamental to the success of economic growth and stability. Research also suggested when seniors have quality in-home care, healthcare costs decline due to fewer hospital stays. They're still going strong 15 years later, never wavering from their commitment to family. Care.com not only offers a robust network of caregivers but payroll services for families to help track and manage costs.

Online: care.com

K Grace

K Grace is a mom-owned business and offers a strictly concierge-focused model. They specialize in last-minute and emergency care. In order to use their service, you need to be registered with them in advance and pay a subscription but they can likely accommodate any of your more unpredictable special requests—overnights, temporary nannies, hotel stays, etc. Expecting a baby and need middle-of-the-night care for your toddler for when you go into labor? They'll have you covered.


Online: kgracechildcare.net

— Maria Chambers & Christa Reed

Featured photo: publicdomainpictures via Pixabay

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Starbucks Now Offers Childcare Benefits for Its Employees & It’s Long Overdue

by Erica Loop

Creating work-life balance isn’t easy and that’s why some of major companies are all-in for helping employee-parents out. Starbucks now offers childcare benefits, making it the latest company the quest to make it easier to parent and still earn a living.

If you’re a working mama, then you’ve probably been in the, “My kiddo is sick and I have no one to watch them!” panic type of situation. Well, it looks like Starbucks wants to remedy this situation.

Photo: Courtesy of Starbucks 

Partnering with Care.com to offer Care@Work, Starbucks gives employees the opportunity to connect with caregivers through an online community. Starbucks employees who work in company-owned stores within the United States will get 10 subsidized backup care days annually. This doesn’t just include care days for your kiddos. Employees who are adult caregivers of aging parents also get this benefit, too.

According to vice president of benefits at Starbucks, Ron Crawford, “This is giving our partners resources for things that happen in regular life. We wanted to give them something to help fill in the gaps.”

So what else do Starbucks employees get with this new benefit? They’ll receive a free premium membership to Care.com (that’s a $150 value) and get low rates for in-home or center-based backup child or adult care. And by low, we mean $1 an hour for in-home care and $5 per day for center-based care. Whoa!

—Erica Loop

 

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26 Websites Every New or Expectant Parent Should Read

by Christal Y.

What are you going to do with that two-hour nap window? Or that precious evening when baby’s asleep? Surf the web! (After taking a shower in peace, of course.) Here are our favorite sites for parenting tips, tricks and inspiration. You’ll get your fill of straightforward advice — and some funnies, too.

photo: Tom & Katrien via flickr 

Name Berry
Royal names, unisex names, currently trending names … basically everything you ever wondered about baby names is located on the easily accessible Name Berry. And we do mean everything! Search from how unique to how internationally well known the moniker is.

Best Click: Find the right name down to the last stroke with the search engine.
Online: nameberry.com

Scary Mommy
Learn to be okay with not having a perfect family through Scary Mommy. This judgment-free community is where moms post their funny stories, provide insight and navigate the roller coaster ride of parenting. There’s even a useful “What to (Really) Expect Month to Month” pregnancy calendar.

Best Click: The laugh-out-loud page of Mommy Confessions.
Online: scarymommy.com

Weelicious
It’s always best to stock the pantry in the case of emergencies. And while your little slurper might not be ready for solids yet, Weelicious has a plethora of puree recipes filled with yummy ingredients that mom and dad won’t mind practicing on first. Plus, their Weekly Meal Plans really ease the headache that comes with grocery shopping.

Best Click: All eyes on that Creamy Vanilla Cinnamon Pudding!
Online: weelicious.com

Momtastic
Cut to the chase with Momtastic for smart, practical and detailed advice on everything you want to know. The community at Momtastic is a friendly bunch — moms who’ve lived through the experience you’re about to embark upon. They’re willing to offer first-hand accounts of parenthood and maintain relationships all around the board.

Best Click: Sort through the most popular (and current) articles by navigating the Most Popular tag.
Online: momtastic.com

Bundoo
Instead of frantically calling your doctor and waiting for a callback, check out Bundoo for all the answers to every question that’s ever crossed a new parent’s mind. Got a ultra-specific question that hasn’t been answered? For $9.95, Bundoo has several pediatricians online who can question them for you, but leaving a comment in their stories can also prompt helpful advice too!

Best Click: This 411 on how the body changes before and after pregnancy is pretty reassuring.
Online: bundoo.com

PhD in Parenting
While scientific notes, proven recipes and tricks to getting your tot to fall asleep are definitely all helpful tips, there are quite a few cultural and social variables in parenthood that are harder to cover. Thankfully mom of two, Annie, created PhD in Parenting, a site that helps us think deeper about the ethical, social and feminist roles of bringing a kiddo into the world today.

Best Click: Helping children feel good in their skin (aka: their birthday suit).
Online: phdinparenting.com

Inhabitots
Having a new addition to the family is often the turning point of many lives. What kind of bed should we get? How should we arrange the room? Turn to Inhabitots, the IKEA of parenting advice, that proves you don’t have to sacrifice style when including your lil’ one in the design process.

Best Click: The world’s coolest (and eco-friendliest) playgrounds for your visual pleasure.
Online: inhabitots.com

CafeMom
Connect with moms all over the world at CafeMom, an online meeting space where you can divulge and glean information on all kinds of topics. Get advice on navigating the stages of pre-baby life, or skip over to Mom Confessions to find out you’re not alone when it comes to parenting problems. Don’t forget to stop by The Stir, a blog about everything from fashion to home care.

Best Click: Find your Mom Group for a place to vent, share and laugh.
Online: cafemom.com

Huffington Post Parenting
For a hub of pages and pages of relatable content and stories that might have never crossed your mind when it comes to the realm of having kids, Huffington Post Parenting is your one-stop shop. Read touching stories of other parents to funny (and only barely exaggerated) lists of how life will be different after that newborn enters the front door.

Best Click: This newborn helping his pops propose will make you go, “Aww.”
Online: huffingtonpost.com/parents

MomLifeTv
Do you prefer watching videos to get your information? As a 2013 Webby Award Honoree (the official Internet awards), MomLifeTv is a lifestyle network that’s all about helping moms create a balanced, strong and peaceful family life. Get the essential 411 on all stages of mom-hood.

Best Click: Learn the three big things to consider when setting up your nursery.
Online: momlifetv.com

Reddit’s r/Parenting
New parents will find the r/Parenting community invaluable. Lurk the forums for über-specific content like “What do you do if you cancel your sitter? Do you pay or not?” or make an account to contribute your personal experience so that a new parent isn’t left hanging. Sort through threads by hot (current popular posts), new (just created posts) or top (all time popular) to see what’s trending. It pays to read the rules in the sidebar before jumping into r/Parenting culture. Tip: The text in parenthesis next to the title tells you what webpage you’ll end up at. Sometimes it’s a link to a photo; sometimes it’s website or just a regular thread you can comment on. To add a comment to a thread that goes to an external link, click “comments.”

Best Click: This dad showing how “It’s tough being a single daddy.”
Online: reddit.com/r/Parenting

Aha Parenting
Being a first time (or third time) mom or dad can be quite an adjustment, especially when your kids aren’t going “by the book.” And you want your kids to enjoy displaying good behavior instead of being bribed into it. Aha Parenting is all about finding the “ooh, yes!” moment in the ever-changing and growing relationship with your kiddo, from birth to teens.

Best Click: Tips of raising a happy family.
Online: ahaparenting.com

Ask Dr Sears
Little ones will have a harder time sticking through an ear infection than ol’ pops, which is why Ask Dr Sears is like the web-tonic for all the health concerns might have crossed your mind (way before they’ve become a reality). This is the A to Z guide to maximizing your tiny tot’s well being.

Best Click: Rashes can be a big concern — but figure out what it might actually be before rushing to the hospital.
Online: askdrsears.com

Google HelpOut
Leave it to Google to help parents hop right into the digital age with Google HelpOuts. Get live advice via Google Hangouts without ever leaving your home (cheers for stay at home or work from home parents) by simply connecting to their Parenting 101 hub. We’ve covered everything you need to know about this awesome service here.

Best Click: Learn how to get back in shape after having your new baby!
Online: helpouts.google.com

Lay Baby Lay
The idea of a tiny human running around the house might make you want to wrap everything in bubble wrap and call it a day, but Lay Baby Lay shows how your lil’ tastemaker can actually contribute to beautifying your home even more than ever. For DIY home building projects to room inspirations, check out Lay Baby Lay.

Best Click: This delightful shared room makes the case for having more than one kiddo.
Online: laybabylay.com

Stroller Traffic
Want the latest updates on products? Then you’ll need to put Stroller Traffic on your radar. Be the first in the mom circle to know about living the four-wheeled carriage life (kids 3 and under) in trend setting style. In addition, Stroller Traffic will keep you in-the-know about product recalls on food, gear and other baby related things.

Best Click: A complete guide to baby carrying.
Online: strollertraffic.com

weeSpring
Shopping as a mom is like waiting at the doors of Target on Black Friday — overwhelming and you’re not 100% sure if you need that product or what good it will do, but it’s brightly colored and says “America’s Favorite” so, buy it right? (Psst … the answer is no). Clear your head by visiting weeSpring. It’s a review site for parents, by parents, where you can see how items have fared with other families before purchasing them for yourself.

Best Click: You’ll need to make an account to see what products made it to every mom’s “Sick Baby Survival Kit” bag.
Online: weespring.com

The Bump
This website is all about the bump — from way before your mini-me has come existence to the preschooler years when they’ve gained independence (well, the first level of it). Over thousands of questions are answered every day on The Bump, so you can be sure to find everything you’re afraid to ask (like weird pregnancy dreams) to hot topics like finding baby appropriate food, toys and more.

Best Click: Sigh, there’s no argument for indulging in coffee during pregnancy, but at least, The Bump details why.
Online: thebump.com

Rookie Moms
Your friends without kids are exaggerating because life is not over, first-time moms and dads. Rookie Moms shows you how to spell fun differently, at different life stages (like 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 months), and sometimes without kids! Read other moms’ success stories or fails to know you’re not alone. This is about as real as mommy life gets.

Best Click: Take part in a Rookie Mom Challenge to try something new and get out of your comfort zone.
Online: rookiemoms.com

BabyCenter
With over 10 Webby Awards, BabyCenter is a go-to resource for everything parenting and pregnancy. Sort through expert advice and make use of all the on-hand tools, like the ever-so-useful First-Year Baby Costs Calculator to keep yourself within the budget.

Best Click: “Is it Safe while I’m Pregnant?” is a great resource for new moms with all the questions.
Online: babycenter.com

KellyMom
Breastfeeding can be a he-said-she-said topic, but KellyMom provides all your need to knows with evidence-based research. If the non-formula route is more your style, consider joining KellyMom’s close-knit support group on Facebook for real-time advice. The site even covers the most obscure questions a new mom might have about breastfeeding.

Best Click: This list of Breastfeeding Helplines is a great if you’re looking for person-to-person interaction.
Online: kellymom.com

Parent Hacks
Browse this site for ideas on how to give all those empty baby wipe containers (yes, you’ll go through them in a heartbeat) a second life. But Parent Hacks isn’t just limited to making use of old jars and boxes either. Find hacks on potty training, baby proofing, organizing and more without breaking bank.

Best Click: Save those little heads from bumping into sharp corners with tennis balls!
Online: parenthacks.com

reCrib
Bargain hunters love this online marketplace. At reCrib, you can score some really amazing deals on gently used baby gear, clothes and anything else your kid might need. It’s the reliable version of Craigslist, and a lot less overwhelming than eBay. A stroller marked down to $150 instead of the retail $450? Yes, please!

Best Click: Strollers can be pricey, so we do appreciate this push-car section of reCrib.
Online: recrib.com

PBS Parents
As soon as they’ve popped into this world, your baby is absorbing information at a rapid pace. Get a view into their world through PBS Parents, an amazing resource for kid-based education. Get an idea of your short stack’s skills by the year with their Child Development Tracker — PBS Parents can even recommend age-appropriate activities and programs.

Best Click: English, Chinese, German or French — forget that, the first language you’ll need to learn is Parentese.
Online: pbs.org/parents

Mom.me
For a more light hearted (but still factual and good advice) approach to parenting, check out Mom.me. Delve into insightful stories from other moms around the world or take a break from new info overload and read humorous columns like “Bad Vintage Pregnancy Advice.” You won’t have to leave the site to find what you want.

Best Click: These words of wisdom from real moms.
Online: mom.me

Highlights
Raise your bundle of joy by learning how to channel their inner creativity, confidence and curiosity into fun activities. Highlights Hello is a growing library of content of quick-read articles about bonding as a new family. Their Your Child & You section is organized by age so that you can easily find age appropriate content, from helping your kiddo take their first step to soft pretzel recipes.

Best Click: Feel more reassured about your toddler’s first steps with this article here.
Online: highlights.com

What websites did you use as a new or expecting parents? Share them with us in the Comments below!

— Christal Yuen

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